Flint, Michigan Factory History

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Buick Factory #01.

This card from around 1910 from my own collection can be super enlarged. November 2, 1905 construction update for factory #01 (actual ground breaking was November 1, 1905). Judging by the article below, the office got a later start on construction than originally planned.October 3, 1906 construction update for factory #01.Inside factory #01 paint department in 1922. This would be in one of the wing sections of the factory.Inside factory #01 at the Hamilton Avenue factory. This photo is dated 1910 but is probably how the plant looked in 1909.. This would be the center section.I like this advertisement where Buick is selling their leftovers. Obviously they did not have a Service and Parts department yet. Judging by the date I think the factory #1 the ad is referring to is the Kearsley Street factory, but I’m not sure.News of the first Buick factory on Flint’s north side from July 1, 1906.

Here is another photo of factory #01 on Hamilton Avenue.

The two short articles above, from the Trade Journal “Motor Age” give approximate dates for construction of Buick’s first factory #01 on the Oak Park site located at the old Hamilton farm on Flint’s north side in late 1905. The contract for construction was signed on September 4,1905. the builders were Field, Hinchman & Smith from Detroit. The General contractors were the Charles A. Moses Co. out of Chicago. The date for start-up at the new site is believed to be February of 1907. As stated in Don Bent’s book “A Place Called Buick” quote: “Lawrence Gustin, a knowledgeable Buick historian, understands the date to have been February 2, 1907. Although there is no documentation to confirm the February date, there is confirmation that by the end of February, Buick Models F and G’s were shipped from the Flint factory. In all likelihood, Model F and G production – the high-volume Buick’s, had been moved back from Jackson at this time. Other lower production models were still probably produced in Jackson”. end quote.A nice view of the east wing of factory #01 in this north-west view. Photo taken October 6, 1919.I’m not sure of the occasion shown here. You are looking east up Hamilton Avenue from Industrial Avenue. Part of the Weston-Mott office is visible at the left.